Reunion to mark anniversary of OSU’s discovery of hydrothermal vents

10/29/2009

CORVALLIS, Ore. – Jack Corliss, a former Oregon State University oceanographer who in 1977 led a research cruise that discovered undersea hydrothermal vents, will return to campus to talk about the landmark event.

Corliss and others will speak about the remarkable discovery on Tuesday, Nov. 3, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Burt Hall Room 193. The event is free and open to the public.

The talk and reception will include displays about the discovery and a commemorative casting that will be presented to Corliss, who was chief scientist on a study of the Galapagos Rift that found the first undersea warm springs and associated exotic marine life.

Other OSU oceanographers on the trip included Jack Dymond, Lou Gordon and Robert Collier. David Perlman, longtime science writer for the San Francisco Chronicle, also was aboard. The discovery marked a turning point in the understanding of life on Earth and has been described as one of the most important discoveries on oceanography.

This year also marks the 50th anniversary of oceanography at Oregon State. The College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences has emerged as one of the leading marine science programs in the country.